Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) ended his questioning of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on Tuesday by asking Jackson why she accused former President George W. Bush and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld of being "war criminals."
"I don't know you well, but I've been impressed by our interaction, and you've been gracious and charming," Cornyn said. "Why in the world would you call Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and George W. Bush war criminals in a legal filing? It seems so out of character for you."
Jackson appeared confused by the question. Cornyn clarified, "I'm talking about when you were representing a member of the Taliban ... and you referred to the secretary of defense and the sitting president of the United States as 'war criminals.'"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Well, senator," Jackson responded, "I don't remember that particular reference, and I was representing my client and making arguments. I'd have to take a look at what you meant. I did not intend to disparage the president or the secretary of defense."
Cornyn was likely referring to a habeas corpus petition Jackson filed on behalf of Guantánamo Bay detainee Khiali-Gul while working as a federal public defender in 2005. Jackson's filing did not include the phrase "war criminals," but it did name Bush and Rumsfeld as respondents and accused them of violating the Geneva Conventions.
"Respondents ... have denied and continue to deny petitioner Khiali-Gul the process accorded to persons seized and detained by the United States military in times of armed conflict as established by specific provisions of the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions," Jackson's petition reads. "Violations of the Geneva Conventions are direct treaty violations and are also violations of customary international law. ... Respondents are liable for this conduct described above, insofar as they set the conditions, directly and/or indirectly facilitated, ordered, acquiesced, confirmed, ratified, and/or conspired to violate the Geneva Conventions."
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
-
Azerbaijan attacks disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, breaking cease-fireThe 'local anti-terrorist' strikes in the ethnic Armenian enclave threaten to reignite a war with implications for Russia, Turkey and the West
-
Canada's Trudeau accuses India of role in assassination of Canadian Sikh leader
Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat after going public with explosive 'credible allegations' that Indian agents helped kill a Canadian citizen
-
US-Iran prisoner swap: has Biden given in to blackmail?
Republicans condemn $6bn deal but it could help de-escalate rising tensions
-
Russia and Ukraine face off in The Hague over genocide case
Kyiv is hoping court will rule Russia's actions illegal but Moscow wants the case dismissed
-
Indigenous Voice referendum: is this Australia's 'Brexit moment'?
The referendum on Indigenous rights may be a moment of reckoning for the 'open wounds of nationhood'
-
Conservatives target George W. Bush's AIDS-fighting program
A successful program that previously had bipartisan support is in the crosshairs, worrying public health advocates
-
Is Biden's whirlwind Vietnam trip a warning to China?
Today's Big Question Emphasizing 'growth and stability,' the president keeps an eye on Hanoi's neighbor to the north
-
Rishi Sunak lambasts China after allegations of spy in UK Parliament
Speed Read
